ABU DHABI
EXCELLENCE
CREATIVITY
PASSION
RESPECT
COLLABORATION
ISSUE NO. 7
AL BATEEN
ACADEMY
1ST FEBRUARY
Year 9 Parents
Evening.
2ND FEBRUARY
Year 13 IB DP & Year 12
AS Mock Examination
results formally
distributed. Parents
invited to attend at 2pm.
7
1
0
2
y
r
a
u
Jan
Please be assured that we do
recognise that there are areas
that need developing and will
carefully consider all feedback
Aland
Bateen
Olympics
suggestions
so at
we can
NYU
Abu
Dhabithe school and
further
improve
provision for your child’s
education.
Best wishes
MR DAVID HUTSON
PRINCIPAL
Photo: Warrior Challenge 2016
Dear Parents
As we start a new term, it is
always fascinating to speak
with students to discover what
they did during the vacation,
whether it be staying in Abu
Dhabi or travelling with their
family.
As an educator, the hope is that
each
student
does
not
completely forget their studies,
yet I recognise that this is a time
to rest, recharge and spend
time with family. Studies show
that there is a reported
decrease in the time children
spend reading independently at
home so I took it upon myself to
speak with as many students as
possible in week 1 to ascertain
whether they read at home, for
fun, and why they like to read.
Why do students often slow
down with their reading at
secondary
school?
What
motivates a student to read?
Whether it be Harry Potter, The
Hobbit, or The Maze Runner
Series, the students I spoke
with enjoy reading on a daily
basis – in both holiday and term
time.
These students have discovered
a favourite author, or series, or
character. Many mentioned that
the stories are imaginative,
creative, and ‘hook you in’ so
that you want to find out more
or what happens next. It is
interesting to note they have
developed a habit of reading, or
rather, they are able to select
a book and sustain their
concentration for a long period
of time.
They read for fun rather than
necessity. The mind-set is not
one of I have to read, but I want
to read. At the start of 2017,
please encourage your child to
read more at home, on a daily
basis if possible, if they do not
do so already. It does not have
to be a fiction book, it can be
non-fiction, a newspaper, a
magazine. “Young people who
read outside class daily are 13
times more likely to read above
the expected level for their
age.” (National Literacy Trust,
2012).
Thank you to all parents that
completed the Parent Survey at
the end of Term 1. In summary,
90% agreed that their child is
happy at school; 96% agreed
that their child feels safe at
school; and 95% agreed that
their child is well looked after.
Al Bateen Academy, ALDAR Academies, P.O. BOX 129071, Abu Dhabi, UAE;
‫ فليس عليهم‬.ً‫يقوموا بعمل ذلك مسبقا‬
‫ ميكنهم قراءة أي‬،‫قراءة كتب خيالية فقط‬
‫ جريدة أو‬،‫يشء مثل الكتب غري الخيالية‬
‫ "الشباب الذين يقرؤون خارج‬.‫مجلة‬
‫الصف يومياً هم ثالثة عرش مر ًة مام هو‬
،‫ الوطني ملحو األمية‬.‫متوقع لسنهم‬
2012
‫أريد أن أشكر جميع أولياء األمورالذين‬
‫قاموا باستكامل استبيان أولياء األمور يف‬
90% ،‫ملخصا النتيجة‬
.‫نهاية الفصل األول‬
ً
‫أجمعوا عىل أن أبناءهم يشعرون‬
‫ أجمعوا عىل أن‬96% ،‫بالسعادة يف املدرسة‬
‫أبناءهم يشعرون باألمان يف املدرسة و‬
‫ أجمعوا عىل أن أبناءهم يحظون‬95%
.
‫ يرجى العلم‬.‫باالهتامم والعناية الجيدة‬
‫أننا ندرك أن لدينا مناطق تحتاج إىل‬
‫تطوير و سوف نهتم بجميع التعليقات‬
‫واالقرتاحات حتى نتمكن من تحسني‬
‫املدرسة وتوفري أجود مستوى تعليمي‬
‫ألبناءكم‬
Tel. 02 813 2000;
‫ديفد هتسون‬
‫مدير املدرسة‬
‫إىل أولياء األمور الكرام‬
‫ دامئا من‬،‫مع بداية فصل درايس جديد‬
‫الرائع التحدث مع الطالب الكتشاف ما‬
‫ سواء كان ذلك‬،‫قاموا به خالل العطلة‬
‫البقاء يف أبوظبي أو السفر إىل الخارج مع‬
‫ أمتنى من طالبنا عدم‬،‫ كمعلم‬.‫أرستهم‬
‫ ولكنني أعلم‬،‫إهامل الدراسة أثناء العطلة‬
‫ وإعادة شحن‬،‫أن العطلة وقت للراحة‬
.‫الطاقة وقضاء بعض الوقت مع العائلة‬
‫تشري الدراسات أن هناك انخفاض يف قضاء‬
.‫األطفال وقت للقراءة مبفردهم يف املنزل‬
‫ولذلك قررت أن أتكلم مع أكرب عدد‬
‫ممكن من الطالب يف األسبوع األول من‬
‫الفصل الدرايس والتحقق إن كانوا يقومون‬
‫ وملاذا‬،‫ من أجل املتعة‬،‫بالقراءة يف البيت‬
‫ ملاذا يقوم الطالب يف كثري‬.‫يحبون القراءة‬
‫من األحيان بتقليل القراءة عندما تبدأ‬
‫املرحلة الثانوية؟ ما الذي يحفز الطالب‬
‫ عىل القراءة؟ سواء كان ذلك‬Harry
Potter، The Hobbit، ‫ أو‬The Maze
Runner Series.
‫الطالب الذين قمت بالتحدث معهم‬
‫يستمتعون بالقراءة بشكل يومي و ذلك‬
‫ وقد قام‬.‫خالل العطلة والفصل الدرايس‬
‫ أو‬،‫هؤالء الطلبة باكتشاف كتابهم املفضل‬
‫ وذكر كثريون‬.‫سلسلة كتب أو شخصيات‬
،‫أن القصص تكون خيالية و مبدعة‬
‫وتجذبهم كثريا ً ملعرفة املزيد أو ما سيحدث‬
‫ من املثري لالهتامم أن القراءة‬.‫بعد ذلك‬
‫ فهم‬.‫أصبحت عادة عند هؤالء الطالب‬
‫ والحفاظ عىل‬،‫قادرون عىل اختيار كتاب‬
‫ فهم‬.‫تركيزهم لفرتة طويلة من الزمن‬
‫يقرؤون من أجل املتعة و ليس ألنها‬
‫ نطلب من‬،‫ يف بداية هذا العام‬.‫رضورة‬
‫حرضاتكم تشجيع أبنائكم عىل القراءة أكرث‬
‫ إذا مل‬،‫يف املنزل بشكل يومي إن أمكن‬
Email: [email protected];
Website: www.albateen.sch.ae
AL BATEEN
ACADEMY
ABU DHABI
HEAD OF YEAR UPDATES
JANUARY 2017
ISSUE NO. 7
term.
A
tremendous
achievement, with the group
averaging 99%. As a result
they currently hold the
Minion Mascot!
Student Council Award:
Presented by Year 7 Student
Council Members; Zayed
Al-Nahyan 7E, Jumana El
Merhebi
7D,
Alyazia
Alshehhi 7F and Leen
Shanwar 7A.
YEAR 7 END OF TERM Dawar Khan (7B)
Music
1 AWARDS.
Choosing
students
for
awards is always a difficult
task and this term it has
been even more challenging
with a high number of very
talented
students.
The
theme
for
our
Celebration Assembly was
the new school Values.
The assembly showcased
performances from many
students demonstrating our
Values. The school Values
are part of lessons, extra
curricular activites and
school life.
Subject awards are awarded
to students who; make
fantatsic progress, show
dedication and commitment
and always try their best.
Many students received
Subject Awards, and their
teachers spoke very highly
of them. Congratulations to
the following students who
won theses prestigious
awards.
English
Leen Shanwar (7A)
Dawar Khan (7B)
Accelerated Reader
Award
Leen Shanwar (7A)
Maths
Lilia Aissaoui (7F)
Abdullah Kadri (7D)
Islamic
Ammar Bedair (7E)
Nour Barham (7C)
Lenore Libab (7A)
Abdullah Kadri (7D)
Arabic
Sami Tashamneh (7A)
Amani Perera (7H)
Mankush Gandhi (7F)
PE
Rebecca Patterson (7E)
Isaac Hinds (7D)
History
Afra Bin Jerais Al Ali (7D)
Adam Fadlullah (7C)
Social Studies: History
Afsheen Nishad (7C)
Maaluv Gandhi (7D)
Geography
Saif Al Hammadi (7E)
Gabrielle Bautista (7E)
Geography: Be the Best
Hamza Khan (7B)
Amani Perera (7H)
Mohamed Al Mualla (7G)
Social Studies:
Geography
Lilia Aissaoui (7F)
Umaima Khan (7G)
Social Studies
Ammar Bedair (7E)
Reem Alkaabi (7B)
Science
Bianca Marotta (7A)
Aakif Umar (7F)
ICT & Computing
Amani Perera - (7H)
Adam Fadlullah (7C)
DT
Reem Alkaabi 7B
Rawan Najim 7F
Drama
Rebecca Patterson 7E
Lara Annesley (7A)
Languages: Spanish
Leen Shanwar 7A
Gabrielle Bautista 7E
Languages: French
Obaid Al Marri (7C)
Afsheen Nishad (7C)
Art
Leen shanwar (7A)
Salem Al Haira (7F)
7D achieved recognition for
the best attendance of the
This award is to thank a
member of staff on behalf of
all Year 7 students and is
awarded to a member of
staff who makes a huge
difference to Al Bateen
Academy. This term the
award was presented to a
member of the schools
security
team;
Roshan
Mohammed Khan. Thank
you to Roshan for his
commitment to the Al
Bateen community.
Female Student of the
Term: Leen Shanwar, 7A.
Leen has made a very
positive start at Al Bateen
Academy. Her academic
record during term 1 has
been excellent. She has
been involved in many school
community initiatives; from
the Student Council to
BESLA and not forgetting
her tremendous support
with transition events.
‘It was such an honour
winning Student of the Term,
in my first term at Al Bateen
I did as many things as
possible from the Student
Council, The Sports Council,
BESLA and much more. I
will continue to get involved
in as many activities as I can
this term. I couldn’t believe
my eyes when I saw my
name
in
the
board.
Sometimes I still think it’s a
dream, a dream that came
true’. Leen Shanwar 7A
Male Student of the
term: Mankush Gandhi,
7F.
Mankush has worked hard
to exceed in his studies and
has been involved in several
key transition events with
Year 5/6 students. He sets a
superb example to other
students with his fantastic
attitude and dedication to his
work and the school
community.
‘My first term went great, all
the teachers and the older
students were really helpful
and made it easier for me to
settle in well. I also got
involved in as many things
as possible so that I could
experience new things. On
the last day of term we had a
Celebration Assembly Mr
Smith gave awards to
different students for many
different things, and at the
end Student of the Term was
announced and I had been
selected, I was so shocked!
So in the end I had an
OUTSTANDING First term’.
Mankush Gandhi, 7F.
Tutor Group of the Term:
7E. This was a very tough
decision and I could have
justified picking any of the
Year 7 Tutor Groups. I
considered
a
number
of
factors
including,
attendance,
organisation,
participation in our year 7
quiz, and generally showing
an active involvement in the
school community.
After much deliberation I
decided on 7E as term 1’s
Tutor Group of the Term as
overall they had the best
record.
‘7E are very proud and
pleased to have won Tutor
Group of the Year. We have
worked hard as a class to
AL BATEEN
ACADEMY
ABU DHABI
JANUARY 2017
maintain high standards and
always strive to be the best
we can. We have thoroughly
enjoyed term one, and all
the activities and events we
have participated in. Some
of our favourite activities
were, BateenFest and the
Warrior Challenge where we
came first in the year group!
We are looking forward to
being just as successful in
term two!’ Mrs Barnett and
Mrs Atkinson.
I would also like to take this
opportunity to thank all year
7 parents who have been
incredibly supportive of the
school during the first term,
this has really helped Year 7
students settle into their
new surroundings.
I look forward to celebrating
further success with Year 7
during 2017.
MR MATTHEW SMITH
HEAD OF YEAR 7
YEAR 8
The Celebration Assembly in
December was such a great
way to close Term 1. There
were
various
awards
including: subject awards,
attendance, Student of the
Term and Tutor Group of the
Term.
Subject Awards:
Arabic- Native
Farah Abu Assali
Jawad Abd el
Arabic- Non Native
Bhargavi Ritolia
Tania Abou Shakra
English
Liyan Mustafa
Saif Matrooshi
PE
Isabel Sutherland
Karim El Kobrosi
Music
Peter James
Haya Bu Ali
History
Yaroslava Politova
Josef Majeed
Geography
Bhargavi Ritola
Lana Mustafa
Social Studies: History
Shaikha AlNasri
Jawad Abdulwahab
Social Studies:
Geography
ISSUE NO. 7
In addition, we would like to
celebrate all of those
students whom received a
House Award for achieving
either 75 House points for a
Silver Award or over
100 House points for
a Gold Award. A special
congratulations
to
Guglielmo Persi Paoli 8F
and Liyan Mustafa 8F
these students achieved the
Gold House Point Award.
Yazan Atout
Khaled Al Shareef
Science
Yumna Muhammad
Guglielmo Persi Paoli
ICT & Computing
Bhargavi Ritolia
Elise Fowler
DT
Bhargavi Ritolia
Saif AlHammadi
Drama
Ruqaiyah Rupawala
Liyan Mustafa
Languages: Spanish
Dana Alkaabi
Maram Ahmed
Languages: French
Zizou Al Shouly
Amina Noshi
Art
Alice Ferrarese
Islamic- Native
Obaid Al Nasseri
Lana Mustafa
Islamic - Non Native
Aya Muhammad
Abdulah Eminovic
Student of the Term: The
winners for this award were
Bhargavi Ritola (8C) and
Peter James (8B).
Congratulations to the both
of you and thank you very
much for your contributions
to the Al Bateen community.
Our attendance within tutor
groups was phenomenal
with 5 out of 6 tutor groups
over the 95% attendance
mark, which saw 8B and 8F
joint 1st place with 98%. We
also had a high number of
students gain the Bronze
Award for a perfect 100%
attendance record in Term
1. Well done and I look
forward to handing out the
Silver
Attendance award
at the end of term 2.
It also gives me great
pleasure to announce that
the Tutor Group of the Term
Award was presented to 8F
for having such a positive
first term in year 8. Well
done!
During the Celebration
Assembly
the
Student
Council
awarded
our
Facilities
Manager, Mr
Bernard
Usana the
Community
Award
in
recognition for all of his
hard work, here at Al
Bateen.
This week I had the privilege
of sitting in a Student
Council meeting. It was
lovely to see our students
rising up to the challenges
of further responsibility and
discussing and debating
ideas, which have been
raised
by
Al
Bateen
students. Year 8 had a large
presence at the meeting
and have been involved in
various small projects. Well
done to our Year 8 Student
Council members!
We would also like to
welcome
Ms.
Jasmin
Ferguson to the Year 8 Tutor
team.
All the best for an equally
memorable term.
MISS LEANNE CANHAM
HEAD OF YEAR 8
AL BATEEN
ACADEMY
YEAR 9
Firstly, happy New Year!!!! I
wish you all the very best for
2017. Term 1 culminated in
a fantastic achievement
assembly, students were
acknowledged for their
efforts
and
academic
attainment
that
they
demonstrated throughout
the term. It gave me a sense
of great pride to present
these awards to students, as
a school we really do
appreciate all of their hard
work and progress during
term 1.
The first accolade awarded
to students was for 100%
attendance. This is a
fantastic achievement and
the
winners
of
this
award should be proud
of
their
resilience
and
determination.
Unfortunately there are too
many winners to name,
however well done to
everyone who achieved this
award.
The next award was
presented
to
students
who have demonstrated
their
commitment
and
appreciation to the UAE
throughout term 1.
These students have been
involved in a variety of whole
school
events
which
included
National
Day
Celebrations, UAE Flag Day
and Martyrs day.
ABU DHABI
JANUARY 2017
ISSUE NO. 7
Reader award for her
progress,
hard
work
and
commitment
to
the Accelerated Reader
Programme during term 1.
YEAR 10
The names of the winners
included: Saif Al Hebsi,
Habroosh Al Suwadi,
Shaikh Abdulla Al Mualla,
Sultan Al Zaabi, Mohamed
Al Zaabi, Rashad Al
Suwadi, Abdulaziz Al
Khoori, Abdulla Al Mhairi,
Saif Al Quabaisi, Matar Al
Mhairi and Ahmed Al
Shehhi.
Well done to all those
students and keep up the
hard work.
There were also many
students who won subject
awards
and
were
acknowledged for all their
hard work and outstanding
progress. A special mention
goes to Sara El Kasabi,
Kylde Gironella, Mukund
Shankar, Elisya Faizul and
Karim El Kobrosy who
were nominated for multiple
subject awards.
I would also like to say well
done to Lina Awad who was
awarded the Accelerated
Much like the weather, it’s
been a calm and settled
start to the New Year for us
in Year 10. The students
have come back to school
and are straight into their
lessons and are plugging
away in every subject. Once
again, there’s been a
cornucopia of different
events to report on from the
last few weeks of Term 1.
Warrior Challenge was
another example of how Al
Bateen Academy can take
on a challenge head
on.
Every
student
who participated showed
strength and determination
to finish the course – with
some students completing it
four times in one hour.
That’s impressive – one
attempt was too much for
me!!!
The assembly concluded
with
the
three
most
prestigious awards. Female
Student of the Term was
awarded to Elisya Faisul for
her all round excellence and
achievement,
the
Male
Student of the Term was
Karim El Kobrosy for his
progress during the term.
Finally Tutor Group of the
Term was 9F. 9F made an
outstanding contribution to
term 1, getting involved with
all aspects of school life. I
would like to say a huge well
done to all the award
winners
and
further
encourage all students to
aim to win an award in term
2.
MR SEAN CLARKE
HEAD OF YEAR 9
I saw a different side to
many students on the day,
with many students who do
not
normally
compete
in athletic competitions
showing that they can
undertake a huge physical
and mental challenge and
compete outside of their
comfort zone. It was a real
spectacle, and a great
example of how this
fantastic year group can
work as a team.
Some students wowed the
audience at the Winter
Concert.
I have been
inundated with praise from
friends of our students,
parents
and
staff,
recollecting on the fantastic
talent that was on show.
Well done to all of the
students, from all year
groups who were part of
such a fantastic and
memorable concert.
Two lucky Year 10 students,
Khalifa and Lea, had a
fantastic time on the ski trip
to Verbier in Switzerland.
What a way to spend the
winter break! They have
both come back in one piece
and are raving about the
great trip that they had.
To finish Term 1, we hosted
AL BATEEN
ACADEMY
a Celebration Assembly
which was inspired by the
famous Academy Awards,
this
event
celebrates
the
contribution
and
achievements of the first
Arabic (Native)
Abdulla Al Shehhi
Farah Abo Asali
Arabic (Non Native)
Aryan Sood
Arabic Writing
Competition
Saif ElDawla Taha
Art
Aliza Solatorio
Emily Sullivan
Business Studies
Nikola Stamenkovic
Lea El Maalouf
DT
Aryan Sood
Lea El Maalouf
Drama
Jennifer Bridle
Economics
Aryan Sood
English
Sara Al Shehhi
Ahmed Al Qemsi
Geography
Jawad Abdulwahab
Ali Al Sahn
History
Nawal Ismail Joao Ribeiro
IT & Computing
Fatima Al Rousi
Mohammed AlKhyeli
Computer Science Jawad Abdulwahab
Islamic (Native)
Humaid Al Mazrouie
Hager ElKasabi
Islamic (Non Native)
Maryam Al Shibibi
Riad Al Asadi
Languages
Joao Ribeiro
Fouad Korban
ABU DHABI
Camila De Leo
Alice Ferrarese
Mathematics
Lujayne Rashid
Jawad Abdulwahab
Music
Yaser Yaser
Xinyu wang
PE
Layan Askar
Seb Hinds
Psychology
Ava Mussayeva
Alice Ferrarese
Science
Sai Danthakani
Nawal Ahmed Ismail
Aryan Sood
Farah Abo Asali
Hager El Kasabi
Essam Al kadomi
Sociology
Ava Mussayeva
Maria Khakimova
school term. We had an
impressive haul of names to
congratulate
on
their
achievements.
Our special guest, ‘Justin
Bieber’ (Better known as Mr
Sonsin) opened the event to
a raucous crowd, which also
included
a
Mannequin
Challenge, different form
classes competed against
each
other
for
this
prestigious accolade. Well
done to all students who
won awards!!!
It has been a tough start to
the year for our Year 10
students, as it is their first
taste of IGCSE’s, but the
students who won the
awards have taken to the
task really well. A massive
Alice
well
done
to
Ferrarese and Aryan Sood
JANUARY 2017
ISSUE NO. 7
who were awarded the
Student of the Term award’s
for their performance across
all subjects.
in our end of year
Celebration
Assembly,
something all of our
students should be striving
for.
A special mention also goes
to 10A who won the Tutor
Group
of
the
Term
Award- consistently the
best uniform, attendance,
punctuality and also the quiz
winners. They devoured a
HUGE pizza and some Jelly
Beans
as
a
reward.
Congratulations to all of the
winners, and keep up the
good work!
MR SAMUEL BARNETT
HEAD OF YEAR 10
YEAR 11
I would like to take this
opportunity to wish you a
happy
new
year
and
welcome our students back
to the start of a brand new,
exciting yet extremely busy
term! I am looking forward
to the results of our
forthcoming IGCSE Mock
Examinations;
Just
a
reminder
that
the
examinations will take place
between
Sunday
22nd
January and Monday 30th
January.
Needless to say that
punctuality and attendance
is integral to the success of
our students during this
time, these examinations
are essential practice for the
‘real thing’.
Firstly I would like to
celebrate the success of our
top
12
students
as
deciphered from the review
of our end of term reports.
Aaliyah Khwaja
Agnes Widensky
Antonio De Leo
Diana Majeed
Fiona McGeachy
Hamad Al Qubaisi
Trishan Dissanayake
Mohammad Sohawon
Mohanad Ahmed
Sarah Abdalla
Zayed Al Mazroui
Zeyad Wadi
Also, I would like to thank
and celebrate the success of
the following students who
all won prestigious awards
Arabic (Non Native)
Sara Abdoullah & Saif
Rajab
Business Studies
Shaymaa khan
D & T
Agnes Widensky & Farah
Azzouz
Drama
Blen Tamrat
Economics
Sameed Ahmad
Geography
Agnes Widensky
History
Isabella Schwarz &
Agnes Widensky
IT & Computing
Mohammed Babu & Ali
Majeed
GCSE Computer Science Hisham Sohawon &
Shaymaa khan
Islamic (Native)
Zayed Al Mazroui & Thuria Hashem
Islamic (Non Native)
Lina Said & Muhammad
Ahmad
Spanish
Sally Amir
French
Luna Korban & Alex
Azzawi
Music
Rowan Yousif & Lisa
Williams
PE
Christina Kennely &
Adeeb Chilmeran
Psychology
Fiona McGeachy & Diana
Majeed
Biology
Zeyad Wadi & Thuraya
Hashem
Chemistry
Mohannad Ahmed &
Carla Nahar
Physics
Bryan Quadras & Waleed
Andari
I would like to thank all of
our dedicated staff and
students and wish everyone
good
luck
for
the
forthcoming examinations.
Remember preparation is
key!
MISS LISA HANDY
HEAD OF YEAR 11
AL BATEEN
ACADEMY
ABU DHABI
INTERNET ADDICTION:
MUCH TIME ONLINE?
Across the world, parents
and teachers are becoming
increasingly concerned at
the amount of time their
children
are
spending
online. One recent report
suggested
that
some
children are spending as
much as 44 hours a week (a
3 fold increase in the last 10
years) in front of some form
of digital screen, be it
computers, mobile phones,
gaming
consoles
or
television.
At school we try and limit
this time by enforcing
policies regarding the use of
mobile phones etc. We
genuinely want students to
communicate with each
other by talking, to become
social and engage in real
world experiences. Whilst
we all acknowledge the
positive power of the
internet and digital devices
and the huge value they can
have on learning, it is clear
that
many
of
our
students are spending a
disproportionate amount of
time in the evenings online,
gaming and using social
media. This week when I
asked
one
exhausted
looking year 10 student what
time he went to sleep, he
replied ‘my game finished at
3am!’.
As a pastoral team, we are
only too aware of the
potential dangers to our
students who are spending
too much time online:
•They may frequently arrive
late to school and miss
important notices
•Students who are tired
cannot concentrate or learn
effectively.
Academic
progress will be limited,
leading to lower grades
•Students become more
irritable with lack of sleep.
Decision making is affected
and confrontations increase
•Social
media
issues
increase.
TOO
Experts agree that children
with excessive usage are
also at risk of:
•Increased obesity
•Interrupted sleep patterns
and problems sleeping
•Increased risk of
depression
•Social isolation
Some warning signs of
compulsive internet use:
•Preoccupation with the
internet
•Defensive about time spent
online
•Failed attempts to control
behavior, including
aggressive behavior
•A heightened sense of
euphoria while involved in
computer and Internet
activities
•Loses track of time while
online
•Sacrifices needed hours of
sleep to spend time online
•Becomes agitated or angry
when not online or online
time is interrupted
•Checks messages
compulsively throughout the
day
•Spends time online in
place of homework or
chores
•Prefers to spend time
online rather than with
friends or family
•Disobeys time limits that
have been set for Internet
usage
•Seems preoccupied with
getting back online when
away from the computer
•Loses interest in activities
that were enjoyable before
he or she had online access
•Depression.
Source: www.webroot.com
What’s the answer?
JANUARY 2017
ISSUE NO. 7
their waking hours in front
of a screen, ignoring family,
relationships,
homework
and the world!
Emotional
Learning
Techniques.
February 7th : Digital
Addiction Part 2- What We
Lose Versus What We Gain
And Its Impact On Our Youth.
It is widely agreed that time
spent online must be
regulated and balanced
against time spent with
family and friends, doing
homework/study, sports and
other leisure activities. This
sometimes means removing
devices from children’s
bedrooms, using permitted
time-online as a negotiation
tool and encouraging other
activities.
At school we offer many
avenues for support. If you
have any questions please
seek advice from myself,
your child’s Head of Year, our
School Counsellor and/or
our ICT department. Also,
please share with us your
successes
and
positive
strategies. I am sure our
parent community would
love to hear what has worked
for others!
MS RACHEL SMYTH
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL PASTORAL
PARENT
WORKSHOPS
Dear Parents
Parent Workshops (adults
only) are up and running!
They provide all of us the
privilege of learning from
one another in a safe and
non-judgemental
space.
Please feel free to bring
friends. All are welcome.
Workshops are located in
the library from 6.157.15pm.
Monitor and regulate time
spent online. The key is to
understand the difference
between normal internet
usage
and
compulsive
internet usage. We all spend
time online and are prone to
losing track of time.
January
24rd:
Anger
Management
Part
2.
Working With Anger & Young
People
However, research shows
there is a growing number of
children who spend most of
January 31st: Working With
Children & Teenagers Using
Mindfulness and Social
Remaining Workshops
Looking forward to seeing
you there.
MS LAURA BRENNAN
SCHOOL COUNSELLOR
DESIGN
TECHNOLOGY
NEWS: TERM
2
MasterChef.
Mrs Atkinson is pleased to
announce the dates for the
annual Al Bateen Academy
MasterChef
competition.
The competition will start on
Sunday 19th March until
Thursday 23rd March and is
open to all year groups, do
you have what it takes to
receive this prestigious
award? Start thinking about
your recipes now... More
details to follow!
The Wizard of Oz.
Come and join the CAS
activity club on Monday after
school from 2.30pm-3.30pm
to
design
and
make
costumes for the whole
school production of The
Wizard of Oz. Please see Mrs
Lucy Coulthard for details in
Textiles.
Booster sessions
for DT.
Booster session will run
every Monday and Tuesday
from 2.10 – 3.30pm for all
year 11 Design technology
students to ensure success
in their coursework projects.
MRS JILL ATKINSON
HEAD OF DESIGN
TECHNOLOGY
AL BATEEN
ACADEMY
ABU DHABI
THE SCIENCE DEPARTMENT REWARD
DRAW
JANUARY 2017
ISSUE NO. 7
CAN YOU
HELP?
The Art Department will be
creating sets for the school
production. The art team
require clean plastic bottles
and large cardboard boxes.
If you would like to donate
these items
please ask students to
deliver the required items to
the Art Department. Thank
you for your support.
INSTRUMENTAL
MUSIC LESSONS
Every Thursday on the
bulletin Mr Wolstencroft
will announce the student
prize winners for the
Science
Department
Reward Draw.
This will take place every
Wednesday lunchtime for
those
students
that
gained a reward ticket
from their teacher for
excellent work in Science
that week.
Congratulations to the
first ever winners of the
Science
Department
Reward Draw.
They are:
-Fatima Al Zaabi 9D
(Mrs Clarke)
-Mohamed Al Kuwaiti 9A
(Mrs Clarke)
-Blen Tamrat 11B (Mrs
Riaz)
-Omar Al Mutawa 10F
(Mr Wolstencroft)
-Ezaldeen Arafat 12A
(Mr Horsburgh)
-Stefan Vasic 13D (Mr
Horsburgh)
MR MARK WOLSTENCROFT
HEAD OF SCIENCE
Last week at Al Bateen
Academy we had a very
musical start to the day. On
entering
the
school,
students were met with a
performance by two of
our instrumental music
teachers.
These mini morning recitals
were an opportunity for
students and parents to
meet the new instrumental
team and to see and hear
the instruments that are
available including: piano,
strings, woodwind, brass,
drums and voice.
Please visit: http://www.musicart.ae/lesson/school-albateenacademy
For further information and
to register for instrumental
lessons for this term.
AL BATEEN
ACADEMY
ABU DHABI
JANUARY 2017
ISSUE NO. 7
mountain, ice skating, and
discos. Students were never
short of activities and fun;
the
days
ended
with
students
and
teachers
retreating to their rooms
and collapsing into bed.
Congratulations to Habiba
(year 12) and Khalifa (year
10) who were voted Skiers of
the Week, based on their
improvements, engagement
in all activities, team spirit
and collaborative approach
to the week. Further
congratulations
to
the
students who won their
group races.
We are all looking forward to
next year already!!!
MISS KELLEHER
HEAD OF BUSINESS AND
ECONOMICS
AL BATEEN’S WINTER BREAK SKI TRIP
On the 14th of December
2016 a group of 23 students
and 3 teachers embarked on
the trip of a life time! In the
early hours they set off on
their journey leaving the
balmy temperature of the
sandy deserts in their rear
view mirror and set their
sights on the snow covered
and freezing cold mountain
tops of Verbier, Switzerland.
A mixed group of students
ranging from year 8 to 12
along with Miss Handy, Mr
Horsburgh and myself, took
on the challenge of either
learning, or improving their
skiing skills. The students
were divided into four groups
according to their ability
ranging from beginner to expert, and regardless of skill
all students had a fabulous
week and did some serious
skiing!
The expert group made up of
a group of year 11 and 12
students hit a top speed of
80km as they sped down the
red and black runs of Mont
Forte. The intermediate
groups made progress from
snow ploughing down blue
slopes, to parallel skiing
down red and black runs by
end of the week. Let’s not
forget about the beginners
group, this is the group that
made the most progress
over the week; as they
started their lessons they
could not even stand on their
skis!!!!!
Screams were heard as they
took off backwards on the
gentle slope, they were often
found lying down on the
ground… just to take a break
from falling over…. BUT by
the end of the week they all
made a very nervous journey
up the main ski lift and
successfully made it the
whole way down the
mountain with the skill and
proficiency of a seasoned
skier!!
Besides the main event of
the trip - skiing – the Les
Elfs Ski School hosted a
whole range of activities for
the students and teachers to
engage in. From a fire torch
lit
walk
through
the
Quotes from teachers and
students on the trip:
‘Our 6th annual ski trip saw
us return to the birth place
of the trip, Verbier. The
highest of all Les Elfes Ski
School’s mountain range
locations and therefore
guaranteed the most snow
at any time of year, an
incredible
town,
world
famous for its style as well
as
it’s
skiers
and
snowboarders.
I
am
privileged to be afforded the
opportunity to run a trip
where we see such growth
from every single student in
just 6 days of ‘independent’
AL BATEEN
ACADEMY
ABU DHABI
JANUARY 2017
ISSUE NO. 7
living. The students are
given the opportunity to be
independent in the safety of
a
fun
and
caring
environment where their
teachers are never more
than
a
minute
away,
students interact with their
peers, old and new alike.
independent
and
see
different places from your
own perspective. I highly
recommend this to all
students as it is a new
experience that you can do
independently or you can
share with friends. Skiing
down from the Mont Forte
highest point in Verbier was
the most unexpectedly,
amazing thing that any of us
could have imagined, as it
was a big shock that most of
the students were capable of
maintaining the correct form
going the whole way down
the mountain.’
HABIBA HAMDI YEAR 12
memories I will never forget;
such as me wiping out Miss
Kelleher, tumbling down the
slopes laughing all the way,
but most importantly the
bonds that have been made
with all the students on the
trip.’
FARAH AZZOUZ YEAR 11
the same if it weren’t for all
of Miss Handy, Miss Kelleher
and Mr Horsburgh’s efforts
and hard work to make sure
we had the best time. Thank
you!!’
ELINA FAKHOURY YEAR 8
Students form bonds and
new relationships with the
Les Elfes staff and other
students
from
schools
sharing the same collective
experience. It is an honour
and a pleasure to be lead
teacher on this trip and I’m
already looking forward to
next year!’
MISS LISA HANDY, LEAD
TEACHER.
‘This has been my second
year going to the annual ski
trip to Switzerland and it has
been fantastic, it enables
you to develop and gain new
skills. The ski trip allows you
to learn how to become
‘This ski trip was so
interesting. Mainly because
of the people that were on
the trip. It was an amazing
experience. This is the
second time I have been on
this trip and I loved it every
single minute of this year
even more than the last. This
year there were certain
‘Although it was very cold, I
enjoyed the ski trip so much
because I learned how to ski
with my best friend, cousin
and our 3 amazing teachers.
This trip wouldn’t have been
‘I enjoyed the skiing part of
this trip, but I also enjoyed
the socialising and fun times
we had in the afternoons
with the Les Elfs team.’
MOHAMED AL AREIMI
YEAR 10
AL BATEEN
ACADEMY
ABU DHABI
JANUARY 2017
ISSUE NO. 7
have
increased by 8
months and 2 years,
respectively, following 2
months
of
intensive
reading - after school with Ms Greaney.
Principal’s Award
In December the school
launched a competition,
to celebrate Creativity,
one of the school’s 5
values. Students were
encouraged to submit
entries, in any format,
that shows creativity.
competition, it was no
easy task to select 3
winners. The winning
entries will shortly be on
display in the school.
Eshita Batra (9F) - book
carving
After great deliberation,
congratulations to:
Well done to:
Thank you to everyone
that
entered
the
Leen Shanwar
whale painting
(7A)
-
Vandita Ritolia (12D) –
photo collage
Hamdan Al Mazroui (9D)
and Abdulaziz Al Khoori
(9E) whose reading ages
MR DAVID HUTSON
PRINCIPAL
AL BATEEN
ACADEMY
ABU DHABI
JANUARY 2017
ISSUE NO. 7
AL BATEEN
ACADEMY
ABU DHABI
JANUARY 2017
ISSUE NO. 7